Isaiah 44

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:9-20

The uniqueness of God having been set forth, the prophet now turns to the images and the image-makers, overwhelming them with his scorn and ridicule. The passage may be compared with Jeremiah 10:3-10 and Baruch 6:8-72. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:9-20

The utter folly of all kinds of idolatry. Idolatry proper—the actual worship of images—is felt by modern Englishmen to be so extreme a folly that they have a difficulty in believing it to have at any time been, or still anywhere to be, the actual religion of a people. Their inclination is to regard it as a symbolism—coarse and ill-judged, perhaps—but yet a well-meaning symbolism, expressive of the truths of natural religion. But research into the past history of mankind, and investigation of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:10

Who hath … molten a graven image? Metal idols were mostly cast in the first instance, and then finished off with a graving-tool. "Who hath molten" means "who has been so foolish as to do so—to take so much trouble about a thing which cannot possibly profit any one?" read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:11

All his fellows ; or, all its associates '; i.e. all who are associated together in the worship of the idol. The worshippers of a particular idol, or sometimes of a particular god, formed a sort of guild or company, bound together by common participation in certain rites, and under an obligation to defend each other. The prophet says that, though the worshippers and the makers should, all of them, be gathered together, and stand up to help one the ether, yet should they be unable to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:12

The smith with the tongs . The Hebrew text is defective, some word having fallen out. We should probably supply "maketh," and translate, The smith maketh an axe , and worketh it in the coals , and with hammers fashioneth it. The description of image-making thus commences with the fashioning of the carpenter's tools. He is hungry , etc. The artificer who takes the first step in "forming a god" ( Isaiah 44:10 ) is himself hungry and thirsty, depending on so mean a thing as food to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:13

The carpenter , etc. When the smith has done his part in the formation of tools, the carpenter is called into action. His proceedings are traced "extragressively." (Delitzsch). First, he is regarded as in possession of his block of wood. On this he proceeds to stretch out his rule, to obtain the idol's length and breadth. Then he marks out on the block a rough outline with red chalk ( sered ) . After this he pares away the superfluous wood with planes, or chisels, and marks out the limbs... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:14

Cedars … cypress … oak . The second of the trees mentioned is more probably the ilex than the cypress, which does not grow either in Palestine or in Babylonia. Idols would be made of cedar on account of its fragrance, of flex and oak on account of their hardness and durability. Cedar was used as a material for carved figures in Egypt. Which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest . The meaning is obscure. Dr. Kay translates, "and he encourages himself in the trees of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:15

Then shall it be for a man to burn . The tree that has been planted, and nourished, and has grown up is naturally "for a man to burn." That is its ordinary destination; and even the idolater applies it partly to this purpose; but out of a portion he maketh a god. The very same tree serves him both for fuel and for a divinity. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:16

He burneth part thereof ; rather, half thereof ; "With half thereof"—not the other half, but the same—"he eateth flesh." One fire serves for the two purposes of warming him and cooking his victuals. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:17

The residue thereof ; i.e. the other half. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:9-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:9-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:17

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